Get your tote bags ready: The Castro's popular farmers market will emerge from its winter hibernation later today, with plenty of early-spring produce to go around.
This year, there are some new developments in store, said Alyssia Plata, marketing specialist for Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association (PCFMA), which runs the market. Starting in April, the market will observe "Wine Wednesday" every third week of the month, with a wine vendor, wine tastings, and recipes that feature seasonal produce that pairs with a featured wine.
A new prize drawing will take place every first Wednesday of the month, with gift certificates to local businesses going to the lucky winners. To enter, use Twitter, Facebook or Instagram to post photos geotagged at the market (you can use the hashtag #castrofarmersmarket).
Photo: PCFMA
As for vendors, there'll be many familiar faces in the mix, including Fifth Crow Farm, Happy Boy Farms, Far West Fungi and many more. Here's the complete lineup:
- Allard Farms – organic stone fruit
- Alpine Blue – walnuts and blueberries (when in season)
- Berry Licious – organic strawberries
- Cecchini & Cecchini – asparagus
- Chantal Guillon Macarons
- Citybees – local honey
- Coracao Confections Inc. – chocolate
- East & West Gourmet Food – Bolani
- Far West Fungi – mushrooms
- Feel Good Bakery – bread
- Fifth Crow Farm – organic vegetables
- Happy Boy Farms – organic vegetables
- Home Maid Brand – pastas, sauces, and dips
- Nucha – empanadas
- Nyia Yi Farms – Asian greens
- Pamela Soap
- Rodin Farms – dried fruits, nuts, and stone fruits
- Shelly’s Farm Fresh – eggs
- Tres Bien Creamery – cheese
- Prather Ranch Meat Co. – grass-fed meat
The market, which includes a rotating lineup of live music acts, runs 4pm-8pm every Wednesday until mid-December, although Plata says they're considering ending it a couple weeks earlier this year.
